When Ales Hemsky was in his prime he was among the best offensive hockey players in the world.

He couldn’t be happier he has left that period of his career behind him.

From 2005-06 to 2010-11 with the Edmonton Oilers, Hemsky scored 96 goals and 235 assists in 360 games, 29th in the NHL in points per game over that span. So a legitimate top line forward.

But what also stands out from those numbers is that Hemsky played 360 of a possible 492 games in those six seasons, a problem that has plagued his entire career.

It happened again last season when Hemsky injured his hip playing for the Czech Republic at the World Cup, an injury that required surgery and cost him all but 15 games with the Dallas Stars. This time it was more difficult to take because Hemsky was coming off two seasons of relative good health, playing 151 of 164 games.

Still, the Canadiens reached out to Hemsky and signed him to a one-year, $1 million contract on the same day...